A Gauteng police officer has been sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for the murder of a 25-year-old man in Polokwane.
Constable Senyolo Phetolo, who was stationed at Johannesburg Central SAPS, was convicted and sentenced in the Polokwane Regional Court for the incident, which occurred on 16 February last year.
According to a statement released by IPID on Wednesday, Phetolo had been driving with friends in Polokwane when they stopped at the corner of Dahl and Thabo Mbeki streets. The victim, identified as Teffu, approached the group and asked for money.
“An argument ensued between Teffu and Constable Phetolo but one of the passengers gave Teffu money, and he stopped arguing with Constable Phetolo, and walked away,” the statement read.
“However, Constable Phetolo got out of his car, and approached Teffu. He grabbed him by his collar and fired at shot at a close range. The bullet hit Teffu at the back, and exited through the chest. Constable Phetolo then got back into his car, and drove to the direction of Mokopane.”
The incident was reported to IPID, which conducted an investigation leading to Phetolo’s arrest and subsequent murder charge.
In addition to the 15-year prison sentence, the court declared Phetolo unfit to possess a firearm.
IOL
Yasmine Jacobs
iol.co.za
